Know Your Food S#1 ::: Tomatoes

In this series of Post, I would be discussing the uses, benefits, side effects, origin and properties of vegetables and fruits. Hoping that this attempt will give me and my readers an insight on what we do eat.

While in India, back to childhood, I was in impression, that tomatoes are just eaten as a part of usual Chaunka/tadka/vaghaar in Daals and Gravies or be used as Salad .. How fool was I.. Living in my small world thinking everything else is the same in the other parts of Universe as its for me. Well that can be quoted for many other things too. But as of now, I ll only talk about Tomatoes.

I love tomatoes. Period.

Every week I buy almost 1.5-2 kgs of them and still they managed to get vanished by the end of week. Used in sauces, curries, gravies, Salads, snacks, sides and sandwiches… The list is endless. I sometimes even eat raw tomatoes with a pinch of salt on them.. Its refreshing .. And oops ! I forgot, some poor humble pieces went on in my face packs as well 😀

Tomatoes, which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable, are loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. They are in fact, a highly versatile health product and due to their equally versatile preparation options, there’s really no reason to neglect the tomato as part of a healthy diet.

Origin of Tomato:

Although tomatoes are often closely associated with Italian cuisine, they are actually originally native to the western side of South America. The French sometimes refer to the tomato as pomme d’amour, meaning “love apple,” and in Italy, tomato is sometimes referred to as “pomodoro” or “golden apple,” probably referring to tomato varieties that were yellow/orange/tangerine in color.

Regardless of its name, the tomato is a wonderfully popular and versatile food that comes in over a thousand different varieties that vary in shape, size, and color. There are small cherry tomatoes, bright yellow tomatoes, Italian pear-shaped tomatoes, and the green tomato, famous for its fried preparation in Southern American cuisine.

Varieties of Tomatoes:

“Slicing” or “globe” tomatoes : are the usual tomatoes of commerce, used for a wide variety of processing and fresh eating.

Beefsteak tomatoes : are large tomatoes often used for sandwiches and similar applications. Their kidney-bean shape, thinner skin, and shorter shelf life makes commercial use impractical.

Oxheart tomatoes : can range in size up to beefsteaks, and are shaped like large strawberries.

Plum tomatoes, or paste tomatoes (including pear tomatoes): are bred with a higher solids content for use in tomato sauce and paste, and are usually oblong.

Pear tomatoes : are obviously pear-shaped, and are based upon the San Marzano types for a richer gourmet paste.

Cherry tomatoes : are small and round, often sweet tomatoes generally eaten whole in salads.

Grape tomatoes: a more recent introduction, are smaller and oblong, a variation on plum tomatoes, and used in salads.

Campari tomatoes :are also sweet and noted for their juiciness, low acidity, and lack of mealiness. They are bigger than cherry tomatoes, but are smaller than plum tomatoes.

Benefits Of Tomatoes:

1.One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its’ Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases. Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient.

Lycopene is not a naturally produced element within the body and the human body requires sources of Lycopene in order to make use of this powerful anti-oxidant. While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene that the tomato takes pride in. Studies involving the tomato have cropped up all over the world of medical science. There are more health benefits derived from eating a tomato than the scientific community is able to print, at least yet.

2.Intake of tomatoes has long been linked to heart health. Fresh tomatoes and tomato extracts have been shown to help lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In addition, tomato extracts have been shown to help prevent unwanted clumping together (aggregation) of platelet cells in the blood – a factor that is especially important in lowering risk of heart problems like atherosclerosis. (In a recent South American study of 26 vegetables, tomatoes and green beans came out best in their anti-aggregation properties

3.Reduced risk of heart disease is an area of health benefits in which tomatoes truly excel. There are two basic lines of research that have repeatedly linked tomatoes to heart health. The first line of research involves antioxidant support, and the second line of research involves regulation of fats in the bloodstream.

4. Not only it works inside the body, a large consumption of tomato can help improve skin texture and colour.

5.Tomato helps in cases of congestion of the liver (protects the liver from cirrhosis) as well as for dissolving gallstones.

6. Tomato is a natural antiseptic therefore it can help protect against infection Nicotinic acid in tomatoes can help to reduce blood cholesterol, thus helps prevent heart diseases.

Choose tomatoes that have rich colors. Deep reds are a great choice, but so are vibrant oranges/tangerines, brilliant yellows, and rich purples. Tomatoes of all colors provide outstanding nutrient benefits. Tomatoes should be well shaped and smooth skinned with no wrinkles, cracks, bruises, or soft spots. They should not have a puffy appearance since that characteristic is often associated with inferior flavor and may also result in excess waste during preparation. Ripe tomatoes will yield to slight pressure and will have a noticeably sweet fragrance.

When buying canned tomatoes, it is often better to buy those that are produced in the United States as many foreign countries do not have as strict standards for lead content in containers. This is especially important with a fruit such as tomatoes, whose high acid content can cause corrosion to, and subsequent migration into the foods of, the metals with which it is in contact.

Use of tomato for Beauty Enhancement:

When I was young, mom used to give me a a home made scrub for washing my face daily. It was really good coz my skin was quite supple and soft then. Tomato works as a mild exfoliate and cleanser.

1.Mix 1 tbsp tomato juice with 1 tsp Malayi. Cut the sides of white bread and mash the remaining with the tomato- malayi. Gently massage to skin in circular movements for 2 min. Leave for 8-10 min. Wash with warm water. Best for dry skin. Use it as a homemade face wash instead of the usual market products. You wont need any of those if you start practising it.

2.For oily skin, simply rub the halved tomato on your face for 2 min and leave it to dry for 8-10 min. Wash off for glowing skin.

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Comments

That is a wonderful theme. I am so going to look forward to these posts. I love tomatoes too. My mom sometimes used to be annoyed with me, when she was visiting me as I would tomato in almost everything 🙂